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Umesh Jadhav to contest against Mallikarjun Kharge from Kalaburagi

Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar has put Congress rebel Umesh Jadhav's resignation on hold even though the resignation is supposed to be received on Day 1.

Bengaluru: Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav who was accused of indulging in anti-party activities, submitted his resignation to Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar on March 4 and joined the BJP to contest against Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge from Kalaburagi.

According to reports, Jadhav was unhappy with the "autocratic" style of Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge.

While the Congress lawmaker's resignation is still on hold, speculation is rife that the refusal to accept the resignation is politically motivated. However, Jadhav has no doubts that the Speaker will accept his resignation and said that the Speaker will not be swayed by the request of anyone. "I am confident that the Speaker will accept my resignation. The Speaker will not listen to anyone and has to accept my resignation as per law. My resignation cannot be rejected," Jadhav told reporters.

Speaking to Newsable, Karnataka High Court senior advocate Pramila said, "The Speaker should accept Umesh Jadhav's resignation as he was not forced to resign by the Congress leaders. According to law, this procedure had to be completed within a day but not sure why the Speaker has put it on hold."

"Any political leader can contest in the Lok Sabha election after resigning from a party and joining another. Even if the resignation is not accepted, the leader can contest in the election." Pramila added.

Ramesh Kumar, on Tuesday, had scheduled a hearing for the four disqualified MLAs (Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Mahesh Kumathalli and Umesh Jadhav). The hearing came after the Congress accused the MLAs of indulging in anti-party activities. But the hearing was called off after rumours of Congress leaders planning to buy back the three leaders broke out.

However, BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa has said that Jadhav will contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls against veteran Congress leader.